Clock striking mechanism



(MbdeL) W. E. COUNTER.

GLOGK S TRIKING MECHANISM.

IATTORNEY.

IE II J: W.

. Patented J an. 10, 1888.

N. PETERS. Phalo-Ulhbgnphnr. Washinglnn, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. COUNTER, or THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

CLOCK STRIKING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentN'o. 376,074, dated January 10, 1888.

Application filed February 3, 1887.

' To all'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. COUNTER, of Three Rivers, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Striking Mechanism for Clocks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This-invention relates to certain newandi useful improvements in striking attachments for clocks; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of a rack and snail, the ar- I .rangement of the engaging and releasing arms 7 of the striking mechanism, and in the peculiar construction, arrangement,'and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock-movement provided with my striking mechanism, with parts broken away to better illustrate the construction and position of other parts. Fig.

. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line w x of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. 4 is a plan of thedial and snail.

Inthe accompanying drawings,which form apart of this specification, A represents the Fig.

7 center post of an ordinary clock-movement,

to which the minute-hand is attached,as in the usual manner. To this post A, I secure a laterally-projecting L-shaped pin, B. Upon the hour-sleeve of the hour-wheel, to which the hour-hand is attached, I secure a small dial, O,which is provided with a series of radiallysliding pins, a, numbered from 1 to 12, but arranged in the opposite direction to the hours upon the clock-dial.

D is a snail, preferably on the same arbor as the dial 0, but merely so in order to secure a simultaneous movement of the two. In the edge of the snailI form a series of steps, I), to

admit of a free movement of the rack, as here- (M del.)

- mechanism which impels the train of geared wheels above numbered, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

On the same arbor as the wheel 3 is secured a disk, I, and also a two-leafed pinion, e, the latter engaging with the rack E in the operation of the device, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Projecting from the wheel 4 is a pin, h. At 0 is shown an arborproperlyjournaled in the frame and carrying three arms, J J J. The first, J, is provided with a toe, i, to engage with the cam or disk I, while the arm J is provided with a toe, k, to engage with the teeth of the rack E. The other arm, J, is a lifter, and has a toe, j,which' is engaged by an arm,

K, that is carried by another arm, R, and is lifted by the pin B on the post A in the ordinary manner. The arbor R also carries the arms K and L, the latter being providedwith the dial 0 rotates, while the former arm, K,

- has a projecting toe, 7c, whose use will be hereinafter explained.

P is the fly-wheel.

m m are pins projecting from the wheel 3 or from the disk I, (see Fig. 3,) within the path of which, in the rotation of the wheel, the upper end of the hammer-rod N projects and causes the hammer to sound the hell 0.

The dial 0 is not stationary, but turns with the hour-sleeve. Pin a engages with the boss of thearm L, throwing arms L and K outward until the toe of the arm K comes in the path of L-cam B ofarbor A,(upon which is mounted the minute-hand.) Then pin B engages with the toe of the arm K, (the boss then leaving pin a,) lifting the arms L and K still farther upward. Arm K engages with the toe j of the arm J on the second shaft, lifting arms J J J until toe i of arm J is lifted from first step of disk or cam I, when toe k on the arm K will be in line with pin it of wheel 4. They now engage as the striking-train rotates, (called the warning.) PinB of the harbor A further causes all the arms to move upwardly, lifting toe of arm J out of deep slot 0 of the rack E. The rack is thrown outwardly by the spring G, and the arm F then carriespin (1 into contact with one of the steps of the snail D. Now, as the minute-hand arrives at figure 12 on the clock-dial, the toe of the arm K drops off the L-cam B of the center arbor, A, and then the striking-train will rotate. Pins m of disk I will catch arm N of the hammer, causing it to strike the bell the correct number of strokes.

Whilein the operation of striking, the highest part of the disk Ilifts toe of arm J out of the teeth of the rack E at the proper time in each revolution of the wheel 3. The boss of the arm L is rounded, so that the hands may be turned backward and not injure the clock, and also that it may be made to repeat its striking.

WVhile all the plus a are at the inner circle of the dial 0 the clock will remain silent, but will strike the number upon any or all of the buttons that may be pushed to the outer circle of the dial-O.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination, with the time-movement of a clock, of an hourstriking movement and a series of adjustable pins moving with the time-movement and arranged to make the clock silent or striking, at will, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a clock provided with an hour-striking movement, of'a snail to regulate the number of strokes given by the hammer, and a dial, 0, provided with adjustable pins for making the clock striking or silent, at will, substantially as described.

3. Thecombination, with a clock provided with an. hour-striking movement, of a snail moving with the time-side of the clock, a plate moving with said snail, and a series of pins corresponding in number with the steps of the snail, arranged to allow of the clock striking or remaining silent when either of the desired steps of the snail is in position for action, substantially as described.

4:. In a striking clock, the combination of a rack, E, provided with a slot, 0, and a supplemental arm, F, a snail, D, dial 0, provided with adjusting-pins a, said snail and dial being actuated by the arbor of the hour-wheel, with an arm, M, actuated by a pin, B, upon the center part, A, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a clock striking mechanism, the combination of the dial G, snail D, rack E, and arm F with the arms J J, K K, L, and M, adapted to be actuated by a pin upon the center post, A, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

WM. E. COUNTER.

. \Vitnesses:

G. W. Cox, R. T. SOMERVILLE. 

